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‘Grandparent’ phone scam finds a victim

The “grandparent” phone scam tricked an elderly Saanich man out of $2,500.

Saanich police say the man received a call Nov. 15 from a crying woman who identified herself as “your favourite granddaughter.”

The female said she had been arrested in Victoria after crashing her friend’s rental car while drunk and she needed $2,500.

The “granddaughter’s” supposed lawyer explained how to send the money to a car rental company in Quebec. The Saanich man made the transfer, and then later called his granddaughter, at which time he realized he had been duped. It was too late to stop the transfer.

Police are reminding residents to be suspicious of any similar calls. Anyone with any information on the scams to call 250-475-4321.

editor@saanichnews.com

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